第三部分：阅读 (共两节，满分40分)

第一节阅读理解 (共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分)

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C和D项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

Here’s an unusual story: a diamond ring was recently found in an egg. The magician, Liu Qian, discovered it in front of an audience of millions at CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala. Liu’s magic tricks have made the centuries – old art of magic fashionable once again, and made him the hottest magician in China.

As a seasoned magician from Taiwan, Liu is popular worldwide for his magic shows. Countries he has performed in include the United States, Japan, South Korea and the UK.

Witnessing something impossible happen right before your eyes is the root of people’s love for magic.

Liu is known for his interaction with his audiences. He has a unique understanding of showmanship(演出技巧)。

“It’s actually thinking rather than one’s manipulation (处理) skills that is more important to achieving a successful magic show. We think carefully about how to design the shows creatively, to make them appear more interesting,” Liu said.

Liu Qian’s success dated back to his childhood. Born in 1976 in Taiwan, he found himself attracted to a magic toy in a shop when he was seven years old. At the age of 12, he won Taiwan’s Youth Magic Contest, which was judged by the great American magician, David Copperfield.

Yet, Liu never planned on becoming a professional magician. He studied Japanese literature at university and only hoped to be an amateur magician in his spare time. However, his failure to find a proper job after graduation pushed him towards magic as a career.

To refine his performing skills, he has performed on streets, roads and fields, for passersby, policemen and farmers.

“Street shows are the biggest challenge for us magicians. We have to deal with unexpected situations and tough crowds,” Liu said.

41. The story is about ________.

A. why people love magic            B. how Liu Qian became China’s hottest magician

C. how fashionable magic is          D. what magic tricks are

42. People love to watch magic because ________.

A. they love watching magicians make the impossible happen

B. it arouses their curiosity

C. they can’t figure out the secret of magic

D. it is a centuries – old art

43. Which of the following is the key reason that Liu Qian decided to make magic his career?

A. He was interested in magic when he was little.

B. He had won Taiwan’s Youth Magic Contest.

C. He couldn’t find an acceptable job after graduation.

D. He became an amateur magician in his spare time.

44. What does the underlined word “seasoned” in Paragraph2 mean?

A. experienced     B. freshman    C. amateur    D. unskillful

45. Liu Qian improved his performing skills by ______.

A. learning from David Copperfield.

B. learning magic in a university

C. performing in public on streets

D. joining in Taiwan’s Youth Magic Contest